China: Shangri-La to open new hotel in Confucius’ birthplace

Chinese teacher, politician and philosopher Confucius (551–479 BC) will be celebrated when a new Shangri-La Hotel opens later this summer in Qufu, his birthplace.

Shangri-La Hotel Qufu, scheduled to open Aug. 1, will pay homage by blending Confucian principles, Chinese traditions and contemporary style to reflect the city’s history, said Jason Xu, general manager. The hotel’s façade, designed to resemble a traditional Chinese pavilion, has roofs topped by gray tiers of flying eaves.

“Following Confucius’ sage advice, ‘Wherever you go, go with all your heart,’” Shangri-La will bring its heartfelt hospitality to Qufu,” said Xu, adding that it will be “a place where you will be able to enjoy a healthy pace of life and explore the essence of traditional Chinese culture.”

The hotel will be the city’s first international luxury accommodation.

Shangri-La Hotel Qufu is within walking distance of the Temple of Confucius, the Mansion of Confucius and the Cemetery of Confucius. All three are UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Sites, and Qufu is one of mainland China’s 24 government-designated historical and cultural cities. Qufu, in Shandong Province, is two hours from Beijing and three hours from Shanghai by high-speed rail.

The hotel’s lobby features a 28-foot-high ceiling with oversized lantern-shaped light fixtures and windows overlooking garden pavilions. Some of the 211 guestrooms will face the Yi River and have balconies with views of the old city wall, palaces of the Temple of Confucius and the hotel’s traditional Chinese landscaped garden.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts owns and/or manages 80 hotels under the Shangri-La, Kerry and Traders brands with a room inventory of more than 32,000.